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St. Patrick's Cathedral

Churches & cathedrals ·Melbourne ·Closed
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#1Churches & cathedrals in Melbourne#2Churches & cathedrals in Australia
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About

St Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of Melbourne’s Catholic archdiocese, stands on Eastern Hill in East Melbourne, beside the central business district.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral

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What's on here

Ordinations at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ordinations at St Patrick’s Cathedral Saturday · All day Red November 2026 Red November 2026 16 Nov – 22 Nov University Students Mass of Thanksgiving (Replacing Six30 Holy Hour) University Students Mass of Thanksgiving (Replacing Six30 Holy Hour) Thursday · All day Emmanuel Community Australia Summer Mission Emmanuel Community Australia Summer Mission Thursday · All day The Bethany Way Formation Journey 2027 The Bethany Way Formation Journey 2027 Saturday · All day

Why go

  • Australia’s largest and tallest church, with a 105-metre central spire.
  • The nave’s large west window shows its Geometric Decorated Gothic design.
  • The present choir began in 1939 after the Vienna Mozart Boys Choir became stranded in Australia at the outbreak of war.

Opening hours

TodayClosedShow all
Monday09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday09:00 – 17:00
Wednesday09:00 – 17:00
Thursday09:00 – 17:00
Friday09:00 – 17:00
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Don't miss

  • West-gallery organThe organ has 81 speaking stops across four manuals and pedals.West gallery
  • AltarThe east-facing altar follows an orientation symbolizing belief in Christ’s resurrection.Eastern end of the cathedral
  • Seven sanctuary chapelsSeven chapels surround the sanctuary at the eastern end of the cathedral’s Latin-cross plan.Sanctuary

Know before you go

  • Cover your knees and shoulders, and remove your hat inside.
  • Do not take photographs during Mass; respect worshippers’ privacy.
  • Visitor access may be restricted during weddings, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and special events.

Services and visiting hours

Monday–Friday
09:00–17:00 Visiting hours
Saturday–Sunday
07:00–19:00 Visiting hours

Interesting facts5

1/5
  1. 103.6 metres

    The cathedral is 103.6 metres long.

    Cathédrale Saint-Patrick de Melbourne - Wikipedia

  2. Its bluestone came from basalt deposits in nearby Footscray.

    St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne - Wikipedia
  3. 1851

    Bishop Goold bought eight bells in Europe in 1851–1852.

    St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne - Wikipedia
  4. 1852

    John Murphy cast the bells untuned in Dublin in 1852.

    St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne - Wikipedia

  5. The bells ring anti-clockwise.

    St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

The cathedral was dedicated to St Patrick because Melbourne’s Catholic community was then almost entirely Irish. Its stained-glass windows were restored after buckling and cracking.

  1. 1 Apr 1851Victoria’s Colonial Secretary granted a site for the church.
  2. UndatedWilliam Wardell was appointed to design a larger cathedral after only the south aisle of an earlier design had been built.
  3. 1868The nave was completed and the bells were blessed, allowing services to be held.
  4. 1 Nov 1897The cathedral was consecrated, complete except for its spires.
  5. 1939The spires, taller than Wardell’s original design, and a new front door were completed.
Show all
  1. 1959–1988The bells fell silent in 1959 and returned after restoration in 1988, when a ninth Angelus bell was added.
  2. 24 Jul 1974Pope Paul VI granted the cathedral minor basilica status.
  3. 1986Pope John Paul II visited and addressed clergy.
  4. 1994The cathedral closed throughout the year for conservation ahead of the centenary of its consecration.

How to get there

  • 2 minOn footParliament Station is a two-minute walk away. The cathedral stands on Eastern Hill, within the block bounded by Albert, Gisborne, Lansdowne and Cathedral Place streets.
  • TramRoutes 11, 12 and 109 serve nearby Stop 11; routes 12 and 109 stop outside at Albert and Gisborne Streets.

Accessibility

  • Entrance ramps Available at every entrance.
  • Recommended approach Visitors using mobility aids are advised to use the side entrance beside the pilgrim path and Cathedral shop.

Sources: St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne - Wikipedia · Melbourne/CBD - Wikivoyage (see) · St Patrick's Cathedral | Melbourne Catholic · St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Melbourne) - Wikipedia · Cathédrale Saint-Patrick de Melbourne - Wikiped… · checked 29 Sep 2026

Where
1 Cathedral Place, Melbourne

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Why is St Patrick’s Cathedral named after St Patrick?

It was dedicated to him because Melbourne’s Catholic community was then almost entirely Irish.

Is St Patrick’s Cathedral a basilica?

Yes. Pope Paul VI granted it minor basilica status on 24 July 1974.

Has a pope visited St Patrick’s Cathedral?

Yes. Pope John Paul II visited in 1986 and addressed clergy.

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